A Nobel Peace Prize winner and an advocate to change, James Earl Carter, Jr., secures his place in our top 10, as one of the smartest U.S Presidents. Jimmy was often underestimated however, with an IQ of 156.8, we beg to differ. His aspirations to make the government both competent and compassionate were commendable, yet somewhat unattainable in a time. He championed human rights, and even brought amity between Egypt and Israel through the Camp David agreement of 1978.
If that isn’t noteworthy, we don’t know what is! His humanitarian impact has been extensive, yet even the extremely intelligent can be a little…er…eccentric. His claim to have seen UFOs following a 1976 conference in Georgia makes us think maybe Fox Mulder of the X-Files was right in saying “I want to believe.” If a man of 156.8 is saying they’re real, then we want to believe, too.
35. Theodore Roosevelt (No. 26) - IQ 153
Following the assassination of William McKinley, the 42-year-old Roosevelt became the youngest President in the nation’s history. His strong policies and enthusiasm made him a force to be reckoned with; not just in the Oval Office, but in the ring too. Float like a butterfly, sting like a -President? The second-most popular Roosevelt was the smarter of the two with an IQ of 153, yet also liked to knock around those brain cells of his.
At Harvard University he dabbled in boxing and continued this activity during his time at the White House. Maybe there’s a correlation between a high IQ and keeping fit? Don’t switch off your alarm tomorrow morning folks, get to the gym!
36. Woodrow Wilson (No. 28) - IQ 155.2
Leading the U.S through the greatest war the world had ever seen, Wilson served from 1913 to 1921. An advocate for world peace, Wilson is ranked as one of America’s greatest Presidents. His hand in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles as well as his “Fourteen Points” peace settlement have their place in the history books.
Wilson’s League of Nations was a forerunner to the United Nations; an institution which has grown to be a body on ensuring the wellbeing of all. His great intellect served him well; whilst he was not a great orator, his thinking was forward, and utilitarian in approach. “The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.” Trump clearly isn’t listening. Might be worth taking a leaf out of his book, eh Donald?
38. James Madison (No. 4) - IQ 160
Tied with his great friend comes James Madison with a whopping IQ of 160. Another of the Founding Fathers, Madison is credited as the Father of the Constitution. With a resume as impressive as his IQ, Madison advised President Washington as well as held the position of secretary of state under Jefferson. However, Madison is not so easily defined by his role supporting others, due to his great contribution to the creation of the United States. He assisted in framing the Bill of Rights, as well as having a hand in the writing of the Constitution.
Unlike his successors in more recent years, Madison was humble enough to state that the document was not simply “the off-spring of a single brain,” but “the work of many heads and many hands.” It seems that once Presidential IQs exceed 150, they are more deserving of the political honour bestowed upon them.
39. Bill Clinton (No. 42) - IQ 159
It seems that even the greatest of men, with the greatest of IQs have a common undoing: women. Bill Clinton’s image of being a “good ol’ boy,” was shattered by one of the White House’s biggest scandals ever. His IQ of 159 couldn’t save him from the hellfire of the media and the American public. When 22-year-old Monica Lewinsky sauntered into the office as an intern, Clinton had no idea she would later spell disaster for him. Their secret affair was denied vehemently, with Clinton’s famous line “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” an attempt to cover his tracks. Not so; their denial became grounds for charges of perjury! Clinton however, served his term following impeachment, yet the damage had been done.
Seems that despite his smarts, he wasn’t smart enough to not commit perjury, nor adultery. Not to mention a lesser known fact that he lost the nuclear launch codes for a few months. Oh dear.